Tech-related health issues that can affect both you and your kids

While improperly operating a smartphone isnâ t as dangerous as improperly operating a backhoe, itâ s not without risks. (Thinkstock)

When I recently began noticing a sharp pain in my right hand paired with a strange, tingling numbness in my fingers, I paid my doctor a visit.

“Sounds like it could be carpal tunnel,” he told me, handing me a wrist brace and instructions to take ibuprofen as needed for the pain.

I can't say that I didn't see the diagnosis coming. I'm a freelancer and my at-home workstation at the kitchen table certainly hasn't passed the ergonomic scrutiny of a knowledgeable HR professional. I'm fairly certain the straight back wooden dining room chairs don't offer the proper lumbar support, there's no wrist guard on my laptop and the screen isn't positioned at eye level. These factors combined with the fact that I'm on both my computer and phone constantly and also lugging around an almost-30-pound toddler are probably the perfect recipe for a repetitive strain injury.

It seems in the digital era, back-breaking work has been replaced by nerve-compressing work.

And while improperly operating a smartphone isn't as dangerous as improperly operating a backhoe, it's not without risks.

So in the spirit of safety, I thought I'd round up some of the most common technology-related health issues that can affect both you and your kids.

Repetitive strain injuries

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This is an umbrella term for any number of conditions (including things like carpal tunnel and tendinitis) that can result from overuse of different parts of your body. Over the years, this has included everything from BlackBerry thumb to iPad hand to Nintendonitis, and studies have shown that these types of injuries are on the rise in the U.S., especially among young children.

Whether you're spending hours and hours a day typing on a keyboard, swiping on a tablet, texting on a phone or clicking buttons on a video game controller, you're putting added stress on the muscles, tendons and nerves in your hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and neck.

Symptoms include pain, tenderness, throbbing or tingling (think pins and needles) as well as a loss of sensation or strength in the affected area. Treatment includes using anti-inflammatory painkillers like aspirin or ibuprofen, applying heat or cold packs to the affected area, elastic supports and firm splints. If those are ineffective, steroid injections, physical therapy or surgery might be needed.

To prevent these types of injuries, experts recommend properly positioning equipment to minimize strain, good posture and frequent breaks.

Distracted walking

Texting behind the wheel isn't the only danger to cell phone users. Injuries from walkers distracted by mobile devices is a growing problem. Need proof? Just head to YouTube where there are plenty of videos of people walking into walls and fountains and off subway platforms.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2010 more than 1,100 people – double the number from the previous year – were treated in emergency rooms for injuries that resulted from walking and using a cell phone or other electronic device..

And the problem isn't limited to texting – the number of serious injuries in pedestrians wearing headphones tripled between 2004 and 2011; in 70 percent of those cases, the headphone wearer died, according to a study by the University of Maryland.

Distracted pedestrians risk things like facial lacerations, nose bleeds and ankle injuries from tripping or walking into buildings, poles or other people – or even worse, when hit by a vehicle. The problem has become so pervasive, that some local governments have rolled out public safety campaigns, urging people to look up from their phones, or even fining jaywalkers who are using phones.

Computer Vision Syndrome

Just as our fingers start cramping after a long day spent tapping away, our eyes can get tired out from staring at a screen for prolonged periods of time.

Symptoms of CVS include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder strain, according to the American Optometric Association. And while these symptoms usually go away after you've stopped using the computer, some people can experience reduced visual abilities, like blurred vision, even after they've ceased working.

With the amount of use they get, the surfaces of all of our devices can be a breeding ground for bacteria and a landing pad for viruses (one study found they are dirtier than the bottom of your shoe).

Some of the problems you might face with a dirty phone include acne, dermatitis, colds and flu. One doctor even reported a patient who contracted MRSA from her phone.

To that end, make sure to clean your phone regularly, as directed by the manufacturer – especially if you've been sick. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. You can also avoid contact with your face by using the speaker or a hands-free set to talk.

As for me, well, it's probably about time to pop a couple ibuprofen and give my eyes a break — maybe I'll even clean the keyboard while I'm at it. I don't want to kick off spring with a cold, after all.

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